‘Kang Min-ho’s walk-off hit’ Samsung finally smiles in promised land…KIA’s 5-game winning streak snapped

Samsung scores a walk-off win in the ‘Promised Land’ Samsung won a 7-6 home game against KIA at Pohang Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a walk-off hit by Kang Min-ho.

Speaking to reporters before the game, KIA manager Kim Jong-guk said, “I feel like the players’ focus has improved. The veteran players are leading the way for team victory rather than individual performance, and the younger players seem to be following suit.”

Samsung coach Park Jin-man said, “The starting lineup is more or less back, but if Choi Chae-heung gets back to his best, it will be perfect. He holds the key to the starting lineup,” emphasizing Choi’s role.

On the other hand, the weak bullpen is the biggest concern. “They know that our bullpen is weak, so when a starter goes down, they follow him to the end. That’s also a strategy (for opponents),” he said bitterly. “At this point, we don’t have any relievers that we can call up from the Futures. We have to utilize our existing resources 메이저놀이터.”

Samsung made changes to its starting lineup. Kang Min-ho came off the bench to rest, and the batting order was center fielder Kim Hyun-jun, first baseman Ryu Ji-hyuk, right fielder Koo Ja-uk, designated hitter Jose Pirela, third baseman Kang Kang-ul, catcher Kim Jae-sung, shortstop Lee Jae-hyun, left fielder Kim Tae-hoon, and second baseman Kim Ji-chan.

KIA’s starting lineup was first baseman Choi Won-jun, third baseman Kim Do-young, right fielder Na Sung-beom, designated hitter Choi Hyung-woo, center fielder Socrates, second baseman Kim Sun-bin, left fielder Lee Woo-sung, catcher Kim Tae-gun, and shortstop Park Chan-ho.

Kia opened the scoring in the first inning with a bases-loaded single by Na Sung-bum. Samsung fought back in the bottom of the inning, putting runners on first and third with back-to-back singles by Kim Ji-chan and Kim Hyun-joon. Ryu Ji-hyuk hit a single to right to tie the game at 1-1, and soon after, Koo Ja-rook followed with an RBI single to make it 3-1.

The KIA bats remained focused. In the sixth inning, with the bases loaded against Samsung starter Choi Chae-heung, KIA broke the 2-3 tie with a sacrifice fly to center field by Na Sung-beom. Choi Hyung-woo followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 3-3. Kim Sun-bin followed with a two-run double to make it 4-3. Lee Woo-sung drew a walk to load the bases. Kim Tae-gun singled to right to make it 5-3.

Samsung had the bases loaded in the eighth with one walk and two hits. Pirela was retired on an infield fly and pinch-hitter Kang Min-ho scored on a sacrifice fly to center field. KIA scored one more run in the ninth on an error.

Trailing by two runs, Samsung had the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Ryu Ji-hyuk hit a two-run double to tie the game. Kang Min-ho followed with an RBI single to seal the thrilling victory.

KIA starter Yang Hyun-jong pitched five innings of three-run ball (seven hits, one walk, five strikeouts). It was his sixth win of the season. On the day, Yang reached 1,900 career strikeouts and 100 innings pitched for the 10th consecutive season. Samsung’s starting pitcher, left-hander Choi Chae-heung, allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts in five innings of no-decision.